What is a Dental Mouth Mirror?
An oral mirror, or dental mirror, is a dental instrument. It is a small mirror that fits into a person’s mouth and is attached to a long handle. An oral mirror is one of the most important pieces of dental equipment found in a dental specialist’s exam room, although this device can be used in other career fields as well.
What are the uses of dental mirrors?
1) Gain indirect vision
(2) Pulling
(3)Indirect lighting
(4)Perspective
1) Gain indirect vision
Obtaining indirect vision refers to using a dental mirror to observe the tooth surface or intraoral structures that cannot be seen directly. The surgeon can see the dental instruments inside the mouth mirror.
(2) Pulling
Retraction refers to using the mouthpiece to pull the patient’s cheeks, mucous membranes, or tongue so that the doctor can see the tooth surface that is covered by these soft tissues.
(3)Indirect lighting
Indirect lighting refers to using a mouth mirror to reflect light onto the tooth surface in dark areas of the mouth.
(4)Perspective
Transillumination refers to the technique of using an oral mirror to reflect light through the front teeth.
Tips for using dental mirrors
Use one of the following techniques to prevent fogging of reflective surfaces.
① Use the patient’s buccal mucosa to warm the reflective surface of the oral mirror.
② Ask the patient to breathe through his nose.
③Use special anti-fogging solution to wipe the reflective surface.
④Use damp sterile gauze to wipe the reflective surface.
⑤ Use a high-speed handpiece or air gun to spray the reflective surface.
Things to note when using dental mouth mirrors
Avoid using the mouth mirror to impact the patient’s teeth. Do not let the edge of the mouth lens press against the patient’s gum tissue.
The doctor’s index finger and thumb can also be used to pull the patient’s lips. Using fingers to pull the patient’s lips will make the patient feel more comfortable than using a mouth mirror.